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Keith Brown to outline Scottish economy plans Keith Brown to outline Scottish economy plans
(about 11 hours later)
The Scottish government's first dedicated economy secretary is to set out his plans to make the country more productive.The Scottish government's first dedicated economy secretary is to set out his plans to make the country more productive.
Keith Brown was appointed to the new role by Nicola Sturgeon in a Cabinet reshuffle after the election.Keith Brown was appointed to the new role by Nicola Sturgeon in a Cabinet reshuffle after the election.
He said innovation and investment, together with tackling inequality, could help to boost the economy.He said innovation and investment, together with tackling inequality, could help to boost the economy.
Mr Brown also pledged a "clear and unrelenting focus" on creating a competitive environment for business.Mr Brown also pledged a "clear and unrelenting focus" on creating a competitive environment for business.
Holyrood is to hold its first economy debate of the new parliament on Tuesday afternoon.Holyrood is to hold its first economy debate of the new parliament on Tuesday afternoon.
Watch live coverage of the debate at Holyrood Live here from around 14:30
Mr Brown will use the debate to stress that "despite uncertain global conditions, and falling oil prices, our economy has continued to grow over the last year".Mr Brown will use the debate to stress that "despite uncertain global conditions, and falling oil prices, our economy has continued to grow over the last year".
Mr Brown said the "fundamentals of our economy remain strong", but added that "we must substantially build on this position to help our firms and our people reach their full potential".Mr Brown said the "fundamentals of our economy remain strong", but added that "we must substantially build on this position to help our firms and our people reach their full potential".
Speaking ahead of the debate, Mr Brown said he would listen to any "constructive ideas" on how to support economic growth put forward by MSPs from across the Holyrood chamber.Speaking ahead of the debate, Mr Brown said he would listen to any "constructive ideas" on how to support economic growth put forward by MSPs from across the Holyrood chamber.
He said Scotland was already a "very attractive location for business growth and inward investment", pointing to research last week which ranked Scotland second to London for overseas investment across the UK.He said Scotland was already a "very attractive location for business growth and inward investment", pointing to research last week which ranked Scotland second to London for overseas investment across the UK.
Mr Brown continued: "That is why we'll aim to raise productivity and prosperity through the traditional drivers of investment in infrastructure, skills and innovation."Mr Brown continued: "That is why we'll aim to raise productivity and prosperity through the traditional drivers of investment in infrastructure, skills and innovation."
The economy and finance briefs had both previously been the responsibility of John Swinney - but the posts were split when Mr Swinney was appointed as the new education secretary, with Mr Brown becoming economy secretary and Derek Mackay the finance secretary.The economy and finance briefs had both previously been the responsibility of John Swinney - but the posts were split when Mr Swinney was appointed as the new education secretary, with Mr Brown becoming economy secretary and Derek Mackay the finance secretary.
The Conservatives will use the debate to call for changes to be made to the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT), which has replaced stamp duty on property sales in Scotland.The Conservatives will use the debate to call for changes to be made to the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT), which has replaced stamp duty on property sales in Scotland.
The party's finance spokesman Murdo Fraser will insist charges have been set too high, causing "a slowdown in the housing market at the upper ends, and a decline in tax revenues".The party's finance spokesman Murdo Fraser will insist charges have been set too high, causing "a slowdown in the housing market at the upper ends, and a decline in tax revenues".
But he will say that "even a minor tweak could end the stagnation and bring in more, much needed, tax revenue".But he will say that "even a minor tweak could end the stagnation and bring in more, much needed, tax revenue".
Meanwhile, Green MSP John Finnie will call for more investment in decommissioning, renewables and energy efficiency programmes to counter the challenges faced by the oil and gas sector.Meanwhile, Green MSP John Finnie will call for more investment in decommissioning, renewables and energy efficiency programmes to counter the challenges faced by the oil and gas sector.
He said: "The decline of the oil and gas sector must be met with a managed transition to new industries rather than ever deeper tax cuts to encourage the extraction of resources that are ultimately unburnable.He said: "The decline of the oil and gas sector must be met with a managed transition to new industries rather than ever deeper tax cuts to encourage the extraction of resources that are ultimately unburnable.
"By investing now in viable alternatives such as decommissioning, renewables and energy efficient housing, we can transfer workers' skills and provide the long-term stability local economies across urban and rural Scotland need.""By investing now in viable alternatives such as decommissioning, renewables and energy efficient housing, we can transfer workers' skills and provide the long-term stability local economies across urban and rural Scotland need."